15 ways men have gotten better

They love alpha women. The sexiest man alive, Brad Pitt, has become Angelina Jolie's lackey—schlepping her babies, adopting her hobbies and transforming himself from a smirky dude to a UN Goodwill Ambassador's personal assistant. Women everywhere are wooning.

2. They're more than just talking heads. The age of the blow-dried, gray-suited somber anchorman is over at last, making room for realer, spunkier, not-afraid-to-cry-on-TV good guys like Anderson Cooper. Bonus: They've made way for women, too.

They're warming up to sex toys. Unthreatened straight men are becoming bigger buyers at sex shops (finally understanding that itsy-bitsy, pink Japanese vibrators are a perfectly acceptable way to say "I love you").

4. They're aging so very well these days. Viggo Mortensen, George Clooney, Ed Harris…and, even still, Paul Newman.

They champion women's rights. Take New York Times writer Nicholas D. Kristof, who made gender injustice his beat—and won a Pulitzer Prize. His columns on topics like sexual slavery and the heroism of Mukhtar Mai (a 2005 Glamour Woman of the Year) opened America's eyes (and our pockets) to a crucial truth: Societies that victimize women threaten us all.

6. They're a little less excited about that threesome idea. Thanks to Bill Paxton's stressed-out polygamist gig on Big Love, men no longer dream of having their own harems. The poor guy is so beleaguered, the extra sex isn't even worth it.

They've stopped wearing their pants around their knees. What did the coolest rap star in America, Kanye West, wear on a recent episode of The Ellen Degeneres Show? Tailored jeans—and an old-school Les Miz sweatshirt.

8. They still don't ask for directions. But they've all got GPS, so now they don't need to (only downside: fewer pee breaks for the womenfolk!).

They do nature and nurture. The number of male registered nurses has doubled in the past 20 years. Also up: male preschool teachers, librarians and nannies.

10. Jam bands are over. What does Phish's demise mean to you? No more hemp necklaces or Tevas on your boyfriend!